Outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty following autologous simple limbal epithelial transplant in pediatric unilateral severe chemical injury

AIMS To evaluate outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in pediatric eyes with unilateral severe chemical injury which have undergone autologous simple limbal epithelial transplant (SLET). SETTINGS AND DESIGN The study design was a retrospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective, case series of all children <16 years of age that have undergone DALK following autologous SLET procedure in unilateral severe chemical injury evaluates the outcomes and complications in the setting of a tertiary care center in North India. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Nonparametric data have been expressed as median (range), parametric qualitative data as percentage, and quantitative data as a mean ± standard deviation. Spearman's correlation coefficient is used for finding a correlation between variables. RESULTS Eleven eyes of 11 children (5 male and 6 female) with a mean age of 8.9 ± 4.7 years underwent DALK following ocular surface reconstruction with autologous SLET earlier for unilateral severe chemical injury with limbal stem cell deficiency. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months (13.00 ± 4.58 months) following DALK procedure. All patients with a minimal follow-up of 6 months were evaluated for visual outcomes. Visual acuity ranged from 0.3 to 3 logMAR units (0.6 ± 0.2 logMAR units). Complications were encountered in three patients. Anatomical success was seen in 72.72% patients and visual success was noted in 54.54% patients. CONCLUSIONS DALK is a feasible option in children with severe unilateral chemical injury who have undergone ocular surface reconstruction with autologous SLET procedures.